Charts and diagrams
We ended our last blog post by referencing the fact that some students create various charts and diagrams to aid in their studying. In this post, we’re going to expand on that topic.
Before we begin, however, let’s make on thing clear: creating charts and diagrams is entirely optional. In other words, just because you see other students making charts and diagrams, don’t feel like you should be doing the same. At the end of the day, you need to do what’s going to work best for you. If you think that charts and diagrams will help you succeed, then go ahead and make some! If you don’t, then that’s fine too!
Assuming you do want to learn more about charts and diagrams, however, let’s begin with charts. One great chart to make has to do with civil litigation timelines. Basically, you’re going to want to create a chart that lists all of the various timelines applicable to civil litigation matters. For example, one document applicable in the civil litigation context is known as a “Statement of Defence”. There are various timelines attached to this document. If you are served with a Statement of Claim in Ontario, for instance, you must deliver your Statement of Defence within 20 days of being served. However, if you were served in the United States or elsewhere in Canada, you have 40 days. If, for some reason, you were served outside of North America, you have 60 days.
In order to keep track of these various dates, then, you might want to create a chart that references Statements of Defence and also references the various timelines attached to this document. You might also want to include the specific page numbers in the study materials in which information about Statements of Defence can be found (in case you need to draw on that information to answer a specific question).
Another great chart to make has to do with appeal routes. Essentially, you’re going to want to create a chart highlighting which decisions get appealed to which court. For example, say you’re dealing with an interlocutory decision from an Associate Justice of the Superior Court of Justice. The question then becomes: which court hears the appeal? The answer: a single Judge of the Superior Court. You’d want to create a chart containing this information in a way that is easy to follow.
In terms of diagrams, some students like to create diagrams outlining the structures of various aspects of Ontario’s justice system. For example, you may want to create a diagram highlighting the components of Ontario’s family law system. Here, you would have various “text bubbles” which contain information about the various actors who play a role in Ontario’s family law system. Some of these actors include: the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Unified Family Court, and the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. Not all students find that diagrams are particularly helpful, but if you’re someone who is a “visual learner”, then you may find them beneficial.
In the end, and as we mentioned as the outset, the most important thing when it comes to bar exam prep is to embrace a study strategy that is going to work for you. So, while charts and diagrams can be helpful, don’t feel like you’re “not studying hard enough” if you don’t think they’ll be of any real value for you.